Core Competency 3

MPH 3: Analyze quantitative and qualitative data using biostatistics, informatics, computer-based programming and software, as appropriate.

This core competency was first completed in MPH 610: Introduction to Public Health Practice, in Fall 2020. Two chapters of assigned reading were based on understanding epidemiological and fundamental epidemiological concepts, identifying and interpreting available sources of health statistics, and being able to define the major death and disease rates. This was just an introduction to the field of public health and the competency, but it gave me a baseline understanding of what the concepts meant, how important they were, and how they were used by public health professionals.

This core competency was achieved in MPH 612: Biostatistics, in Fall 2020. A data analysis project was created to explain the importance of biostatistics using statistical software, SAS, to analyze the data. Descriptive techniques commonly used to summarize public health data were applied. Basic concepts of probability, random variables, and commonly used statistic probability distributions were incorporated. Statistical tests of significance for one and two population means and proportions were performed. Properties of normal distributions and how to calculate basic probabilities using them were skills gained in this course as well. Proficiency of how to use a chi-square distribution for goodness of fit tests, and use contingency tables to test independence and homogeneity were also skill acquired in this course. Learning how to obtain a simple linear regression model and use it to make predictions, along with understanding how regression and correlation differ and when the use of each is appropriate was taught in this course. The data analysis project allowed me to put my skills to the test and analyze how I interpret the data along with my proficiency of the SAS software. Completing this project and competency allowed me to learn how to not only read and interpret data, but correctly enter it into a statistical software program.

Core Competency 14

MPH 14: Advocate for political, social, or economic policies and programs that will improve health in diverse populations.

This core competency was fulfilled in MPH 615: Systems Thinking and Management, in Spring 2021. A review and policy solutions paper was developed in this course to explain how to present needs for additional personnel for an organization in an underserved diverse population. This course showed how I would advocate for a healthcare need to a governmental policy making body. I learned how to advocate for technology to be available to diverse populations in an equitable manner from this course. The paper and completing the competency in this course gave me the skills to be able to negotiate and advocate for healthcare and understand the policies put in place by government agencies.

This core competency was also completed in MPH 622: Environmental Law, Governance, and Justice, in Summer 2021. Two research papers were developed in this course to allow me to critically assess policymaking processes related to environmental health law, governance, and justice. Identification of statutory, regulatory, administrative, and judicial means to implement or revise political, social, or economic policies and programs affecting environmental health in diverse populations were discussed throughout this course. Research, writing, and oral communication skills to effectively communicate audience-appropriate public health law and policy content were also demonstrated in this course. Being able to critically assess policymaking processes related to domestic and international environmental health and governance was a skill obtained in this course. The research papers described a threat or issue and its relevance to either United States domestic or global environmental or public health. These assignments and accomplishing this competency allowed me to get a better understanding of how policies and laws are made.

This core competency was again achieved in MPH 746: Epidemiology, in Fall 2021. A study design project was created to explain the importance of epidemiology in informing scientific, ethical, social, economic, and political discussions of health issues. Evaluation of potential prevention methods was done by calculating population attributable risk and population attributable fraction. Learning how to advocate for initiatives that improve health at the population level was a skill obtained in this course. Evaluation of epidemiological evidence and ethical interplay, as well as social factors using herd immunity threshold and vaccine hesitancy were examined throughout the course. This project and this competency was engaging and fulfilling for me to accomplish because this course was relevant to our real world scenarios.

Core Competency 19

MPH 19: Communicate audience-appropriate public health content, both in writing and through oral presentation.

This core competency was achieved in MPH 622: Environmental Law, Governance, and Justice, in Summer 2021. A case review was completed independently, then discussed in class to show effective communication with audience-appropriate public health law and policy content. From this course, I was able to read a case hearing and decipher the case name, court hearing the case, decision date, hearing date, case type, facts, legal issue(s) before the court, applicable rule(s) of law, summary of the respective opposing parties’ positions, court’s legal analysis, court’s decision/findings, dissenting opinion(s), and impact of the decision. This assignment and competency completion allowed me to gain skills on reading case hearings and be able to interpret law content.

This core competency was also fulfilled in MPH 611: Social and Behavioral Sciences for Public Health, in Fall 2020. A two-part paper for academic audiences about a particular health behavior within a particular population was written, along with an executive summary for professional audiences about this particular health behavior within the same particular population. A PowerPoint presentation was delivered as a group with my peers about the particular health behavior within the same particular population. The effects of vaping on adolescents was the health behavior and population chosen by my group. An independent paper using scientific evidence about this topic was written, while the executive summary and PowerPoint was done as a group. These assignments and this competency allowed me to better understand how behaviors can be related to health outcomes and the importance of learning background information, such as what makes the behavior more likely to occur, what makes the behavior difficult to change, and how society, the environment, or peers may impact an individuals desires for the behavior. I enjoyed these assignments because it made me appreciate the importance of looking at health behaviors from different points of views and I feel that this will help me in my career as a public health professional.

Health Behavior and Health Promotion 1

HBHP 1: Plan or recommend a health communication or health promotion project that addresses the needs of the priority population.

This track competency was achieved in MPH 630: Health Communication and Social Marketing for Health Populations, in Fall 2021. A social marketing program plan was developed and designed involving the planning and application of social marketing principles and techniques such as the marketing mix, audience segmentation, and positioning to address a health behavior issue and the needs of a priority population. Weekly textbook readings along with weekly homework assignments to apply knowledge about the reading on social marketing and communication in the course helped achieve the ability to create a social marketing campaign. This was a more challenging competency for me to complete due to creating a social marketing campaign being a very detailed process including numerous steps in the process and external factors to consider. I feel that this experience taught me the importance of what goes into designing a social marketing campaign as a public health professional and how to target difference audience sectors.

Health Behavior and Health Promotion 2

HBHP 2: Design an evaluation plan to assess public health programs or projects.

This track competency was achieved in MPH 661: Program Planning and Evaluation, in Summer 2021. A program plan and evaluation project paper and PowerPoint presentation was developed involving evidence based best practices and evaluation reports in relation to their quality, utility, and impact on public health. The focus of my program plan was the Richmond City foster care program of youth aging out into independent living. The plan was multi-faceted, addressing various levels of the health impact pyramid by using the socioecological approach. The role of key stakeholders in the planning process was clearly identified. The plan included a statement of the health problem, the program description, the goals and objectives, the implementation plan, and the evaluation design that included the logic model. This was a satisfying assignment and competence to complete due to the extensive work put in to creating the the program plan and evaluation paper and presentation. With the help of the weekly lecture materials, I felt as though I had a helpful road map of how to create my program plan and enjoyed the hard work it took me to achieve my goal.